I read My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult.
WOW!! The ending of the book was so unexpected! I can not believe that Anna died right after she gained medical emancipation from her parents. It seems so unfair. Only five pages earlier I was expecting Kate to die because she didn't recieve the kidney and then it's Anna who dies. This really upset me because Anna turned out to be such a strong character and for her to just die is very dissapointing.
Another big shock was when Anna was on the witness stand and stated that Kate asked her to take the case to court. Two weeks ago in my post B, I wrote about how Kate didn't have a section for their thoughts like everyone else in the novel. Now I understand that she didn't because her thoughts were different than the reader had expected. I didn't really know what Kate thought about the court case, but I definitly didn't think that she had asked Anna to file it.
I wasn't that surprised to learn that Campbell had epilepsy and that his dog was for siezures. I was surprised to find out that that was his reason for leaving Julia however. She loved him so much that she wouldn't care that he had epilepsy yet he thought he would be a drag so he left her and hid his disability. I think that this is interesting because it is like Kate not wanting to hold back Anna from doing the things that she wanted to do like go to hockey camp. Both Kate and Campbell felt that their friends and family would be better off without them and failed to see how much everyone loved them. Overall I think that this book is amazingly written and I enjoyed it a lot.
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Q3 Post 7A
I just finished reading My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult and am a bit upset about the ending.
VOCABULARY
1. kilter (380)- good condition (n)
2. proof (388)- the alcoholic strength of a liquor, a number that is twice the percentage of the volume of alcohol present (n).
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
1. "'My hair has its own zip code'"(384). This is a hyperbole exaggerating the size of Julia's hair.
2. "The truck made out better; the smaller BMW is literally bent like a smile around its front end,"(413). Brian is comparing the shape of the car wreck to a smile. I find this comaprison ironic because a car wreck is anything but happy.
3. "I traced the geography of his face: from the cliff of his cheekbone to the whirlpool of his ear to the laugh lines ravined beside his mouth"(370). This is a metaphor where Julia compares Campbell's face to geographical land features.
QUOTE
"I look down at my skirt, pick at a thread. Just maybe I will unravel the whole thing"(376). Even though Anna is talking about her skirt, this is a metaphor for her testimony. I like it and find it very clever. This is the turning point in the court case when Anna decides to tell everyone the truth, that Kate asked her to file the petition.
THEME
A theme in this novel is the unexpected; I had no idea that Anna was going to die in a car crash and end up donating the kidney in the end and that Kate would almost fully regain her health.
VOCABULARY
1. kilter (380)- good condition (n)
2. proof (388)- the alcoholic strength of a liquor, a number that is twice the percentage of the volume of alcohol present (n).
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
1. "'My hair has its own zip code'"(384). This is a hyperbole exaggerating the size of Julia's hair.
2. "The truck made out better; the smaller BMW is literally bent like a smile around its front end,"(413). Brian is comparing the shape of the car wreck to a smile. I find this comaprison ironic because a car wreck is anything but happy.
3. "I traced the geography of his face: from the cliff of his cheekbone to the whirlpool of his ear to the laugh lines ravined beside his mouth"(370). This is a metaphor where Julia compares Campbell's face to geographical land features.
QUOTE
"I look down at my skirt, pick at a thread. Just maybe I will unravel the whole thing"(376). Even though Anna is talking about her skirt, this is a metaphor for her testimony. I like it and find it very clever. This is the turning point in the court case when Anna decides to tell everyone the truth, that Kate asked her to file the petition.
THEME
A theme in this novel is the unexpected; I had no idea that Anna was going to die in a car crash and end up donating the kidney in the end and that Kate would almost fully regain her health.
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Q3 Post 6B
I'm reading My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult :)
For the theme in post A this week I had said indecision. Anna goes back and forth trying to decide if she should go through with the case. I think that this is a very hard decision to make and I don't blame her. As the reader I think that it gets a little annoying because I want a strong main character who stands by her choices. I also want Anna to go through with the trial and win because I am a teenager (therefore I would side with the other teenager against her parents), and I also feel that her parents are valuing Kate's life more than hers even though I can easily see Sara's point of view as well.
Anna has given up a lot and it is clear that she loves her sister very much because she is having a hard time going through with the trial. If she gives up a kidney, it could complicate her life and her doctor would recommend that she doesn't play hockey anymore. Only having one kidney can also mean pregnancy complications. The donations might not stop with the kidney either, Kate will always need something else. However, if she doesn't give up a kidney she will lose her sister who is also her best friend. Do you think Anna should continue with the trial? Do you think that Anna should continue donating to Kate? Does indecision annoy you?
For the theme in post A this week I had said indecision. Anna goes back and forth trying to decide if she should go through with the case. I think that this is a very hard decision to make and I don't blame her. As the reader I think that it gets a little annoying because I want a strong main character who stands by her choices. I also want Anna to go through with the trial and win because I am a teenager (therefore I would side with the other teenager against her parents), and I also feel that her parents are valuing Kate's life more than hers even though I can easily see Sara's point of view as well.
Anna has given up a lot and it is clear that she loves her sister very much because she is having a hard time going through with the trial. If she gives up a kidney, it could complicate her life and her doctor would recommend that she doesn't play hockey anymore. Only having one kidney can also mean pregnancy complications. The donations might not stop with the kidney either, Kate will always need something else. However, if she doesn't give up a kidney she will lose her sister who is also her best friend. Do you think Anna should continue with the trial? Do you think that Anna should continue donating to Kate? Does indecision annoy you?
Q3 Post 6A
VOCABULARY
1. Nepotism (331)- favoritism shown to relatives mostly in business and politics (n)
2. Sequelae (336)- an abnormal condition resulting from a previous disease (n)
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
1. "It is everything I can do not to punch these vultures, who want to rip apart the bleached bones of my family" (327). This is a metaphor where the vultures are the news reporters.
2. "As if the loss of a kid's hero worship can ache like a phantom limb"(332). This is a similie comparing the pain from a child who has lost their hero to a limb in pain.
3. "The sun washes over her milky skin, lights the line of her throat"(339). This is imagery because it gives a lot of detail and applies to visual senses.
QUOTE
"Its hard to be the one always waiting. I mean, there's something to be said for the hero who charges off to battle, but when you get right down to it, there's a whole story in who's left behind" (327). Brian's observations about his role in their family make me think of Penelope in the Odyssey. Both their spouses are out fighting while they struggle with their own issues at home.
THEME
A theme in this novel is indecision; Anna has had a hard time deciding whether or not to go through with the court case.
1. Nepotism (331)- favoritism shown to relatives mostly in business and politics (n)
2. Sequelae (336)- an abnormal condition resulting from a previous disease (n)
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
1. "It is everything I can do not to punch these vultures, who want to rip apart the bleached bones of my family" (327). This is a metaphor where the vultures are the news reporters.
2. "As if the loss of a kid's hero worship can ache like a phantom limb"(332). This is a similie comparing the pain from a child who has lost their hero to a limb in pain.
3. "The sun washes over her milky skin, lights the line of her throat"(339). This is imagery because it gives a lot of detail and applies to visual senses.
QUOTE
"Its hard to be the one always waiting. I mean, there's something to be said for the hero who charges off to battle, but when you get right down to it, there's a whole story in who's left behind" (327). Brian's observations about his role in their family make me think of Penelope in the Odyssey. Both their spouses are out fighting while they struggle with their own issues at home.
THEME
A theme in this novel is indecision; Anna has had a hard time deciding whether or not to go through with the court case.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Q3 Post 5B
I'm reading My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult and I want to keep reading but I am really tired.
The book jumps around from character to character for each chapter to get different viewpoints. I find this really interesting but also kind of a necessity for writing about such a controversial issue. I also must say that I think Jodi Picoult does a wonderful job at giving each character their own personality through their narration. I doubt its an easy thing to do.
The section that I just read was one written by Sara, Kate and Anna's mother. Her entries are almost always written from the past, describing Kate's earlier life with APL. The thing that I find somewhat annoying is that Kate doesn't have a section for the reader to see her thoughts. I don't know if Jodi Picoult thought that this would be too difficult or maybe she thought it would ruin the story. I wonder what Kate would say? Would she be dissapointed in Anna for not wanting to donate a kidney? Would she be an optimist? or a pessimist?
I think Kate would have a sense of humor. When she is brought up in the narration of her family, she seems to be joyful even when its hard and she seems to almost always be able to find a light in everything. I think she would wonder what it would be like to be normal a lot. I also think that she would enjoy it when people didn't pity her and treated her like she wasn't diagnosed with lukemeia. I think that she would have a hard time dealing with the fact that Anna didn't want to donate a kidney and was suing their parents. She may feel that Anna doesn't love her enough, yet I think she would be able to respect Anna's decision which makes me sad and upset because Kate doesn't deserve to die or to struggle with APl.
The book jumps around from character to character for each chapter to get different viewpoints. I find this really interesting but also kind of a necessity for writing about such a controversial issue. I also must say that I think Jodi Picoult does a wonderful job at giving each character their own personality through their narration. I doubt its an easy thing to do.
The section that I just read was one written by Sara, Kate and Anna's mother. Her entries are almost always written from the past, describing Kate's earlier life with APL. The thing that I find somewhat annoying is that Kate doesn't have a section for the reader to see her thoughts. I don't know if Jodi Picoult thought that this would be too difficult or maybe she thought it would ruin the story. I wonder what Kate would say? Would she be dissapointed in Anna for not wanting to donate a kidney? Would she be an optimist? or a pessimist?
I think Kate would have a sense of humor. When she is brought up in the narration of her family, she seems to be joyful even when its hard and she seems to almost always be able to find a light in everything. I think she would wonder what it would be like to be normal a lot. I also think that she would enjoy it when people didn't pity her and treated her like she wasn't diagnosed with lukemeia. I think that she would have a hard time dealing with the fact that Anna didn't want to donate a kidney and was suing their parents. She may feel that Anna doesn't love her enough, yet I think she would be able to respect Anna's decision which makes me sad and upset because Kate doesn't deserve to die or to struggle with APl.
Q3 Post 5A
I'm reading Jodi Picoult's My Sister's Keeper!
VOCABULARY
1. Cataclysmic (313) - (adj.) pertaining to or resulting from a devastating flood.
2. Aplomb (315)- (n) imperturbable self-possession, poise, or assurance.
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
1. "Her words falllike boulders between us, cracking the sidewalk" (316). This is a similie comparing the strength of Kate's words to a boulder.
2. "Kate is a vine twined around Taylor" (318). This is a metaphor comparing a vine to Kate dancing with Taylor.
3. "A smile glows slowly across her face, like a firefly caught in a jelly jar" (317). This is a similie comparing the the brightness of Kate's smile to a firefly.
QUOTE
"She turns to me. 'When you caremore if someone else lives than you do about yourself... is that what love's like?'" (310). Kate is simply talking about her feelings about Taylor, but this quote also explains how Sara feels about her daughter. This also contradicts the idea that Anna loves Kate.
THEME
A theme in this novel is courage; it takes a lot of courage from the Fitzgeralds to make it through each and every day.
VOCABULARY
1. Cataclysmic (313) - (adj.) pertaining to or resulting from a devastating flood.
2. Aplomb (315)- (n) imperturbable self-possession, poise, or assurance.
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
1. "Her words falllike boulders between us, cracking the sidewalk" (316). This is a similie comparing the strength of Kate's words to a boulder.
2. "Kate is a vine twined around Taylor" (318). This is a metaphor comparing a vine to Kate dancing with Taylor.
3. "A smile glows slowly across her face, like a firefly caught in a jelly jar" (317). This is a similie comparing the the brightness of Kate's smile to a firefly.
QUOTE
"She turns to me. 'When you caremore if someone else lives than you do about yourself... is that what love's like?'" (310). Kate is simply talking about her feelings about Taylor, but this quote also explains how Sara feels about her daughter. This also contradicts the idea that Anna loves Kate.
THEME
A theme in this novel is courage; it takes a lot of courage from the Fitzgeralds to make it through each and every day.
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Q3 Post 4B
I'm reading My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult!! I love it!
I think Anna's family is in a really tough situation and if I were Anna's mother I would have no idea how to handle this issue because you can't just stand back and watch your child die. However, right now, I am siding with Anna because I don't think that her parents should be able to control her body and organs. It isn't fair to continuosly ask her to give up body parts for Kate who is likely to die soon anyways. Their family has gotten ripped apart because of this scandal and Anna has had to go live with Julia, a woman assigned to help her with her case. If Anna wins her case, Kate wil die, and if Anna looes her case, her family will never be the same again and have a lot of tension in it.
The idea of being able to design your child scares me a lot and I don't really think its right. Even if you are trying to save a child like Kate by having a daughter like Anna, its like you are choosing one child over the other. Like I said earlier, people may abuse the system and not only use it to help a child with a mental disability but also raise their child's IQ so that they are capable of being the next Einstein, which is so wrong. You could also make your child extremely gorgeous or a star athlete and I just don't think that its natural.
I think Anna's family is in a really tough situation and if I were Anna's mother I would have no idea how to handle this issue because you can't just stand back and watch your child die. However, right now, I am siding with Anna because I don't think that her parents should be able to control her body and organs. It isn't fair to continuosly ask her to give up body parts for Kate who is likely to die soon anyways. Their family has gotten ripped apart because of this scandal and Anna has had to go live with Julia, a woman assigned to help her with her case. If Anna wins her case, Kate wil die, and if Anna looes her case, her family will never be the same again and have a lot of tension in it.
The idea of being able to design your child scares me a lot and I don't really think its right. Even if you are trying to save a child like Kate by having a daughter like Anna, its like you are choosing one child over the other. Like I said earlier, people may abuse the system and not only use it to help a child with a mental disability but also raise their child's IQ so that they are capable of being the next Einstein, which is so wrong. You could also make your child extremely gorgeous or a star athlete and I just don't think that its natural.
Q3 Post 4A
I'm reading Jodi Picoult's My Sister's Keeper!
VOCABULARY
1. zap (149)- to defeat by sudden force.
2. avail (153)- to have value or profit.
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
1. "Her shoulders hunch, a small cubicle of personal privacy" (153). This is a metaphor comparing hunched shoulders to a cubicle's privacy.
2. "I loved the way he smelled whenever his head dipped close to hear what I was saying--like the sun striking the cheek of a tomato, or soap drying on the hood of a car" (155). These are similies comparing his smell to tomatos and soap, both of which I find more than a little odd.
3. "I didn't answer, just got up on one elbow and kissed him so deep that the ground gave way" (156). This is personification because the ground doesn't just 'give way'.
QUOTE
"What I wanted, at that moment, was to be alone in the living room so that I could throw things, like the TV remote or the glass vase or preferably my sister" (150). Julia doesn't always get a long with her sister and their relationship contrasts that of Anna and Kate.
THEME
An emerging theme in this novel is heartbreak; Julia had her heart broken by Campbell in high school.
VOCABULARY
1. zap (149)- to defeat by sudden force.
2. avail (153)- to have value or profit.
FIGURATIVE LANGUAGE
1. "Her shoulders hunch, a small cubicle of personal privacy" (153). This is a metaphor comparing hunched shoulders to a cubicle's privacy.
2. "I loved the way he smelled whenever his head dipped close to hear what I was saying--like the sun striking the cheek of a tomato, or soap drying on the hood of a car" (155). These are similies comparing his smell to tomatos and soap, both of which I find more than a little odd.
3. "I didn't answer, just got up on one elbow and kissed him so deep that the ground gave way" (156). This is personification because the ground doesn't just 'give way'.
QUOTE
"What I wanted, at that moment, was to be alone in the living room so that I could throw things, like the TV remote or the glass vase or preferably my sister" (150). Julia doesn't always get a long with her sister and their relationship contrasts that of Anna and Kate.
THEME
An emerging theme in this novel is heartbreak; Julia had her heart broken by Campbell in high school.
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